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Gunther, Bob

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1995-2002 (District 26A); House 2003-2012 (District 24A); House 2013-2020 (District 23A)

Party when first elected: Republican

Counties Served: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 7/12/1943

Birth Place: Fairmont, Minnesota

Birth County: Martin

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Evangelical

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Fairmont

Occupation (when first elected): Business, Merchant

EDUCATION

Fairmont High School; Secondary;
St. Cloud State University; B.S.; Marketing

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Chicano Latino Affairs Council (Board of Directors); [Dates Unknown] [Appointed]

Military: United States Navy (Vietnam War); [Dates Unknown]

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council (Appointed by Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher); 12/01/2008 to 2??? [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Nancy
Children: One child: Elizabeth (daughter)

Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He did not seek reelection in 2020.

He was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005.

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Total Days Served: 9271

SESSIONS SERVED

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: House

District: 23A

Elected: 11/6/2018

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/8/2019

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Retired

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform Minutes
Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes
Ways & Means: Housing Finance & Policy Division Minutes
Ways & Means: Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: House

District: 23A

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/6/2019
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Legacy Funding Finance (Chair) Minutes
Rules & Legislative Administration Minutes
Transportation Finance Minutes
Ways & Means Minutes

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: House

District: 23A

Elected: 11/4/2014

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/6/2015

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Aging & Long-Term Care Policy Minutes
Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy (Chair) Minutes
Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Minutes
Rules & Legislative Administration Minutes

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: House

District: 23A

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2013 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: House

District: 24A

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2011 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2011 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair) Minutes
State Government Finance Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: House

District: 24A

Elected: 11/4/2008

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/6/2009

Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Small Business Owner, Grocer

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2010 2nd Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: House

District: 24A

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Family Business, Grocery Store Owner

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Labor: Labor and Consumer Protection Division Minutes
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division: Watersheds, Wetlands and Buffers Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: House

District: 24A

Elected: 11/2/2004

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/3/2005 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/4/2005

Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce and Financial Institutions Minutes
Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance (Chair) Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: House

District: 24A

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 1/2/2005
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Faribault, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development: Economic Development and Tourism Division Minutes
Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair) Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: House

District: 26A

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
Crime Prevention Minutes
Jobs and Economic Development Finance Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 26A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/4/1999 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/5/1999

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture Policy Minutes
Commerce Minutes
Jobs and Economic Development Finance Minutes
Jobs and Economic Development Policy Minutes

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 26A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 1/3/1999
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture Minutes
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs Minutes
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Business Regulation Minutes
Economic Development and International Trade
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division: Government Efficiency and Reform (Chair)

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: House

District: 26A

Elected: 8/1/1995

Residence: Fairmont

Term of Office: 8/18/1995 to 1/5/1997 (Special Election)
Oath Date: 8/18/1995

Counties Represented: Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan

Occupation: Business, Merchant

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Session Notes: He won a special election on August 1, 1995 vacated by the resignation of Gene Hugoson. He was sworn in on August 18, 1995.

OTHER INFORMATION

Session Interviews

House Interview 2016 (Video)
House Interview 2006 (Video)

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

2000 (26A)

2001 (26A)

2002 (26A)

2003 (24A)

2004 (24A)

2005 (24A)

2006 (24A)

2007 (24A)

2008 (24A)

2009 (24A)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Video

2020 Departing House Member Speeches, 2020.

Legislators Past & Present Home

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